DOOMED. I am DOOMED.

My daughter and Miss D came for a vegan Thanksgiving lunch today.  Her husband was working, so it was just us.  My daughter is getting over a bad head cold, and Miss D is right in the throes of it now.  Poor little thing, she's so congested and red-eyed-and-nosed, and just feeling lousy - doesn't want to eat much, can't get comfortable to nap, it's awful.  So, we were together all day at IKEA on Tuesday, and together for hours again today, and I'm already feeling that warning tickly-icky feeling in my sinuses, and my head is slightly achy, and I'm really, really tired. 

After they left, I went to CVS and picked up Cold-eeze.  Let's hope it works.  I didn't really catch the last cold they shared with me, I was able to shake it off.  I am hoping I can repeat that miracle, but the way I feel at this moment, I think I'm screwed.

My first attempt at a vegan holiday meal had mixed results.  I didn't go for anything too fancy because we were just doing lunch for 2 adults and one little snuffler who wanted only Teddy Grahams, juice and sympathy. 

The main course was Dreena's No-Fu Love Loaf. Mine came out a bit on the dry side.  Though I give it high marks for flavor, I am going to tinker with cooking time, etc., next time.  My daughter went back for seconds, but we both agreed that gravy would have helped with the dryness problem.  I think it would be great with a mushroom gravy, but alas, I thought of it too late, and Publix stores were closed today. 

This sweet potato casserole  was an unqualified success - really delicious!  Definitely sweet and almost like a pie, not a savory side dish, and made without eggs, definitely healthier.

I also made basic steamed green beans. 

Dessert was disappointing.  These pumpkin pie squares were rather flavorless.  I didn't have pumpkin pie spice mix on hand, so I followed the directions for adding my own spices.  I should have doubled them - the end result was too bland.  But of course the sweet potato casserole was basically a dessert, so no big loss. 

All in all, it was an interesting departure from holiday traditions, and I can't say I missed the turkey and the usual butter-laden side dishes.  I did miss stuffing, and I think I may have to make a casserole of basic thyme and sage and celery and onion stuffing this weekend, just to get my fix for the season.   Or maybe next weekend.  If the Cold-eeze doesn't work wonders, my weekend is looking decidedly unpleasant. 

She doesn't look like a plague carrier!